Continental GTZ: Bentley in an Italian Suit

Italy's Zagato has just added its touch to one of the most popular

luxury

vehicles around, the Bentley Continental GT. On display at the

Geneva auto show, this one-off concept car shows the Italian coachwork

firm's interpretation on classic technique, which is celebrated around

the world.

Bentley

GTZ Zagato Concept started out with a standard Continental GT Speed,

the fastest model in the Continental series. From there, the outside of

the car has essentially been reworked from nose to tail, completely by

hand. Very little of the car has gone untouched, from the new fenders,

which are creased at their upper edges, to the glasswork, which is also

new. One of the most difficult tasks to execute in a modern monocoque

bodied car like the Continental is modifying the roof, and yet

it's been done. Zagato has added their famous double-bubble roof to

the Continental, and it's highlighted by contrasting the car's green

bodywork with silver paint on the roof and pillars.

The

transformation that the GTZ underwent is very similar to other recent

Zagato transformations, such as the DB7 Vantage Zagato, Maserati GS

Zagato, and Ferrari 575GTZ, plus any one of its custom-made Ferraris.

From most angles, the Continental GT is still recognizable as a

Continental GT, but its features, such as the grille, have been

enlarged and enhanced promoting the fact that this is indeed a

Bentley... yet no ordinary Bentley.

From a mechanical

standpoint, the GTZ moves forward untouched. Its twin-turbo W12 engine

still makes 600 horsepower, although the car's interior is slightly

dressed up with new stitching.

Currently Zagato doesn't have any

plans to produce its take on the GT Speed, but if demand is high enough

and if the money is there, it'll be built.